2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Magic India Discovery Drive

[drdevil]

2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Magic India Discovery Drive - 1 - Mumbai to Mysore


































































Mumbai, May 7th 2008 - The over 13,000-kilometre Ferrari Magic India Discovery Drive made a triumphant return to Mumbai this evening, exactly as per the drive programme. The cars were received at the Gateway of India, close to the starting point of the drive, in a grand ceremonial flag-in event.

The Magic India Discovery Drive was another milestone test for the mettle of Maranello�s flagship GT model. More than 50 journalists took turns behind the wheels of the two cars along the 13 often extremely difficult stages spread across India, taking in 57 cities in the over 70-day tour.
This kind of event is not new to Ferrari, however, as the "China, Ferrari 15,000 Red Miles" tour of the entire China in 2005 and the �Panamerican 20,000� tour from Brazil to the USA in 2006 both proved exceptionally successful too.

To celebrate this latest achievement of the two Prancing Horse cars, a large group of Ferrari enthusiasts gathered today at the Gateway of India. Also present was a large number of journalists to whom President Luca di Montezemolo sent a special video message. �I want to thank all the people who made possible this event around some of the most beautiful areas of the world. The Magic India Discovery team was everywhere warmly welcomed by the Indian people that showed a great passion for Ferrari.�, said Mr. Montezemolo. He also stressed that �the two 612 Scagliettis felt right at home on the Indian roads, demonstrating that Ferrari Grand Tourers not only guarantee top class performance but also absolute safety and comfort even in the most extreme conditions.�

Ferrari spa Sede sociale [Linkleri Sadece uyelerimiz gorebilirler.Uye Olmak icin Tiklayiniz]

This type of test demonstrated once again that modern Ferraris are cars that can be used in any conditions (as attested by the fact that the annual average mileage covered by our clients in their cars has more than doubled in the last decade). Another objective is to bring Ferrari into closer contact with its fans in the wider public beyond the tight circle of track enthusiasts.

The 612 Scagliettis began their epic voyage with just a few absolutely minimal modifications to ensure their safe passage through some particularly difficult stretches of terrain. The modifications involved the addition of a protective underbody made from 4 mm thick duralluminium rather than the usual plastic and the slight raising of the suspension to cope with tougher roads. Otherwise they were both completely regular production cars powered by a 540 hp 65° V12 engine that delivers maximum torque of 60 kgm at 5,250 rpm. Both cars sported a six-speed F1 gearbox and transaxle transmission too.
To mark the cars� arrival back at the Gateway of India, Ferrari would like to extend its thanks to the sponsors that made this great voyage possible: Shell, also Ferrari�s long-standing partner in F1; the Tata Group -- Tata Motors for the support vehicles, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces for providing hospitality to the Ferrari team, and Tata Consultancy Services; the Fiat Group, which supplied Iveco support vehicles and Fiat cars; Pirelli which provided the tyres; Alcoa, our strategic partner in the production of the aluminium chassis� sported by the entire current Ferrari range; OMR, component supplier to Ferrari also in F1; Saima Avandero for logistical assistance. Borsalino, the Piemonte-based world leading hat manufacturer, also provided the journalists taking part in the tour with a contemporary version of the classic Pitt Helmet.

Our sponsors

Shell. The Shell Group has an extensive network of companies in over 140 countries across the globe. Its activities focus oil, chemical derivatives,renewable power sources, industrial trading and many other sectors besides. Shell also manages more than 45.000 petrol stations, serving over 25 million customers each and every day. For further information, visit the Shell website at [Linkleri Sadece uyelerimiz gorebilirler.Uye Olmak icin Tiklayiniz].

Tata Group. The Tata Group is India�s best-known industrial group with revenues in 2006-07 of US$ 29 billion (Rs. 129,994 crores), the equivalent of about 3.2 per cent of the country's GDP. Known for its adherence to business ethics, it is India�s most respected private business group. The international revenues of the Group in 2006-07 were US$ 10.8 billion, contributing to 38% of the total Group revenues. With over 300,000 employees across 96 operating companies, it is also India�s largest employer in the private sector. The Tata brand is recognised as one of the largest homegrown brand in India and the most respected brand. The Tata Group�s stable of brands also includes many national and some internationally renowned product and service brands, including Tata Indica, Tata Indigo, Indigo Marina, Tata Ace, Tata Magic, Tata Winger, Tata Safari, Tata Indicom, Taj Group of Hotels (Luxury, Business and Leisure), Ginger, Tata Tea, Tetley, Tata Salt, Tata Steelium, Tata Shaktee, Tata Tiscon, Tata Bearings, Titan, Tanishq, Voltas, Westside, Star India Bazaar, Landmark and Croma. By combining ethical values with business acumen, globalisation with national interests and, core businesses with emerging ones, the Tata Group aims to be the largest and most respected global brand from India, whilst fulfilling its long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life of its stakeholders.

Tata Motors. Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with revenues of US$ 7.2 billion in 2006-07. With over 4 million Tata vehicles plying in India, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and the second largest in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fifth largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer and the second largest heavy bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America. Tata Motors and Fiat Auto have formed an industrial joint venture in India to manufacture passenger cars, engines and transmissions for the Indian and overseas markets; Tata Motors also has an agreement with Fiat Auto to build a pick-up vehicle at Córdoba, Argentina. The company already distributes Fiat-branded cars in India. Tata Motors� international footprint include Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co. Ltd. in South Korea; Hispano Carrocera, a bus and coach manufacturer of Spain in which the company has a 21% stake; a joint venture with Marcopolo, the Brazilbased body-builder of buses and coaches; and a joint venture with Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Company of Thailand to manufacture and market pickup vehicles in Thailand. Tata Motors has research centres in India, the UK, and in its subsidiary and associate companies in South Korea and Spain.

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia's largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 60 hotels in 42 locations across India with an additional 18 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India's premier business house
Tata Consultancy Services. Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services, business solutions and outsourcing organization that delivers real results to global businesses, ensuring a level of certainty no other firm can match. TCS offers a consulting-led, integrated portfolio of IT and IT-enabled services delivered through its unique Global Network Delivery Model, recognized as the benchmark of excellence in software development. A part of the Tata Group, India�s largest industrial conglomerate, TCS has over 108,000 of the world's best trained IT consultants in 47 countries. The Company generated consolidated revenues of US $4.3 billion for fiscal year ended 31 March, 2007 and is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange in India. For more information, visit the company site at [Linkleri Sadece uyelerimiz gorebilirler.Uye Olmak icin Tiklayiniz].

Fiat India Automobiles Pvt Ltd. Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL) is a 50-50 Industrial Joint Venture between Fiat Group Automobiles S. p. A., (Fiat) and Tata Motors Limited (Tata) originally incorporated on January 02, 1997. The company employs about 650 employees and is located at Ranjangaon in the Pune District of Maharashtra. The definitive Joint Venture agreement was signed in October 11, 2007. The board of directors of this company comprises of five nominees each from Fiat and Tata. The state-of-the-art facility at Ranjangaon, which is owned by FIAPL is capable of producing 100,000 cars and 200,000 engines, besides aggregates and components. The company plans to double the production capacity for both car units and engines in the next few years. Currently manufacturing the Palio Stile 1.1 and 1.6 models, premium Fiat cars such as the Grande Punto and Linea are expected to roll out soon in the B and C segment from the facility within 2008. The facility will also manufacture Fiat�s successful 1.3 litre Multijet diesel engines and 1.2 & 1.4 litre Fire gasoline engine and the C549 transmission, evolution for the Indian market of the European C510: start of production of all powertrains is foreseen by first quarter 2008. Apart from Fiat cars, the facility will also produce Tata passenger and next generation cars with investment exceeding � 650 Million. The plant is expected to provide direct and indirect employment to more than 4,000 people.

Fiat, which holds a 50% stake in the Company, also owns and controls five internationally renowned brands:- Fiat Automobiles, Alfa Romeo Automobiles, Lancia Automobiles, Abarth and Fiat Professional, the makers of renowned cars such as the Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lancia besides the Fiat branded cars.

Pirelli. In terms of turnover, Pirelli Tyre is the world�s fifth largest tyre manufacturer with one of the highest levels of profitability in the entire sector. It is widely acknowledged as one of the reference companies when it comes to cutting-edge, high performance products. In fact Pirelli Tyre enjoys a leadership position both in car and motorbike tyre lines. Pirelli tyres are now synonymous with quality, driving pleasure and exceptional performance. Through the consolidation of its own technological skills, Pirelli has built up solid relationships with the world�s most prestigious car and motorbike constructors, resulting in the homologation of its products for use on models produced by every leading car and motorbike manufacturers. Pirelli Tyre is present in 160 countries and boasts 25 facilities across four continents as well as five Research and Development Centres in which it invests 3.7% of its revenues, the highest percentage in the entire tyre industry.

Alcoa. Alcoa is the world�s leading producer of primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium and alumina. It is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa supplies its products to the aerospace, automotive, industrial, packaging, building and construction, and commercial transportation sectors, offering its clients access to its broad array of design, planning and production skills. In addition to manufacturing aluminium products and components (including laminated, extruded hard alloy and forged products), Alcoa also sells Alcoa® wheels, fixing systems, precision and lost wax castings, and architectural structures and systems. Alcoa is present in 44 different nations employing workforce of 107,000. It was recently named one of the world�s most sustainable companies at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. For further information, visit the company site at [Linkleri Sadece uyelerimiz gorebilirler.Uye Olmak icin Tiklayiniz].


OMR. The OMR (Officine Meccaniche Rezzatesi) Group is one of the world�s leading automotive and industrial vehicle component and systems manufacturers with 11 production facilities in Italy, Brazil, Morocco, China, India and Argentina. Since its foundation in 1919, the OMR Group (which employs a workforce of 2,000) have grown has grown to such an extent, combining technology, innovation and design, that it now leads its sector. OMR and Ferrari began working together in 1978 and together they have worked towards on shared goals, present and future, driven by a team work ethic and a constant thirst for exciting new technologies.

Saima Avandero. Saima Avandero is Italy�s leading international transportation and integrated logistics company. It is part of the ABX LOGISTICS Group and boasts a wide international network with bases in no less than 35 countries. Saima Avandero is an exceptionally reliable partner to business focused on meeting the needs of its clients. Its strongest point is its skill in planning and delivering �tailor-made� services whose quality is second to none. A consummately professional approach and a wide range of skills in logistical support, organisation and information technologies are the secrets to its success and complement the international transportation and delivery services it offers.

With the support provided by Borsalino, the Italian company founded in 1857, world leader in the production of hats.

[drdevil]

2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Magic India Discovery Drive - 2 - Mysore to Bangalore















































































First Day From Mysore

In the morning, before the start of today�s leg, we have to say good- bye to some of our journalists: Pedro Madera, Antonio Car*lucci, Carlo di Giusto and Yuin Tuin are leaving. Thomas Lam, the Korean Chris Kim from Strada and the Indian Shapor Kotwal from Autocar India take over their positions. First the road leads us throu*gh the green and fertile landscape of the Mysore valley, but later it becomes more and more arid and also the road conditions worsen, which forces the journalists behind the wheels of the 612 Scaglietti to pay lots of attention and avoiding bumps and holes. At the frontier to Tamil we reach the Pandipur National Park with eucalyptus trees and gorgeous flowers. Now the road leads up to the mountain pass with an altitude of more than 2,000 metres, right in front of the Ooty valley. After all the bumps and holes in the road, now the two cars from Ferrari can unleash their horses and take the 36 turns up to the mountain pass. After a short descent we reach Ooty, which looks like a village in the Alps, on an altitude of 2,250 metres. The village of Ooty has been built around 1800 by the Madras and smartened up by the Brits, to escape the hot summers down in the valley. The village is sur*rounded by woods and tea plantations (some of them are owned by Tata) and with its numerous hotels it will soon be a tourist location.

Second Day

We�re leaving Ooty and drive through woods and tea plantations. The plantations are quite small and they all look exactly the same. The houses are built on terraces in the middle of the plantations. The roads are bendy and very nar*row and at a certain point we reach the descent leading the plateau. The roads are now slightly better but there is more and more traffic so our average speed drops. By the side of the road we can now spot banana plantations and coconut trees. Fresh coconut milk is sold right next to the road. We have a short stop at Coimbatore at the Tata dealer, who, thanks to a commercial agreement between the two companies, also sells Fiat. Later we�re on our way to the frontier at Kerala, another state of the Federal Republic of India. At the frontier there is a roadblock, because this is also the entry to a Natural Resort. We�re crossing the wonderful park and on the other side we find more tea plantations on the hillsides. The villages around here do not only have Hindu temples but also Christian churches, which is a sign for the Portuguese and Dutch influence in this area. The roads are still very narrow and bendy, which makes overtaking and passing other vehicles really difficult. With a very low average speed we arrive at Munnar when it is already dark. Tomorrow we will visit the tea plantations and learn about tea production.

Third Day

Today is completely dedicated to the world of tea. The valleys around Munnar are all covered in tea plantations. India is the world�s biggest tea producer and its production provides work for thousands of people. The tea plants are all of the same height - at shoulderheight - so the shoots can be taken off easily. The whole valley is cultivated and paths - some measured out and some quite irregular - lead through the plantations. The journalists are delighted by what they see, but they also don�t stop taking photos and filming the two 612 Scaglietti with the valley and the plantations as a backdrop. We are having lunch at the Tata Tea Club, which is exactly as it was at the beginning of the 20th century, with its really magic atmosphere.

Afterwards we are allowed to visit one of the tea producing factories, where the tealeaves are prepared for processing..

Fourth Day

We are leaving the valleys with their vast tea plantations and drive in the direction of the coast. The roads are steeply sloping and there is almost some sort of tropical vegetation by the side of the road. It�s not dry and arid anymore now at all. The road conditions change quite frequently and sometimes it is difficult to pass vehicles we meet along the way. Slowly the temperature is rising, as we get closer to the sea. The mild climate of Munnar and Ooty are now just a memory. The houses in the villages we are passing are lined up right next to the road and social life happens right here on the streets. People are dressed in a traditional way: Sarees for the women, shirt and Westi for the men. Before we arrive at Kochi we�re passing a village of carpenters, selling drawers, chairs and settees. Now we can even spot small supermarkets and the cows in the middle of the road are less and less frequently. Obviously this area is somehow richer than the ones we�ve passed before. We stop at the local Tata Fiat dealer RF Motors to say hello and leave in the direc*tion of Kochi. This city is quite modern, with industry and shops, which are not the general stores we�ve seen until now. The temperature is now at 39 degrees, but inside the two 612 Scaglietti the temperature is very nice, thanks to the air condition on board. We�re off for some sightseeing and stop at the �Chinese web� and visit the former Jewish ghetto..

Fifth Day

Today we spend at Kochi and the journalists are off to explore the life of the city. There is an industrial harbour and Ko*chi�s part for its tourist can be found on three interconnected islands. The ferries are the most comfortable and fastest way of transport here. We�re going to see the Dutch Palace, the residence of the Portuguese governor, the church of the Holy Francis, the tomb of Vasco de Gama, the bazaar with its typical stands and in the afternoon we watch a play at the Cochin Culture Centre, a classic Indian dance.

Sixth Day

We drive along the coast in Southern direction to the furthest point in the South. The road conditions are excellent. It�s Sunday and there is hardly any traffic. Our first stop is at Allepy and we visit the canals and the dikes. There are many houseboats covered with palm leafs. It looks like the Netherlands with all the canals around. Later we�re dri*ving in Southern direction and the road leads us through a wonder*ful palm garden. There are houses along the road and one village blends into the other. We can spot many craftsmen but also some industry, mainly connected to marble.
Also here most of the people are wearing the traditional Indian dresses: Sarees and Westis. We stop at the Tata Consultancy Ser*vices College, which is one of the best think tanks in India. The students, in touch with the world�s most sophisticated technolo*gies, are enthusiastic about the cars from Ferrari. Tomorrow new journalists will join up with us.

Seventh Day

Today we are driving from Kovalam to the furthest point in the South of India, Cape Comorin, where the Arabian Sea meets the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. This is the holy place of the goddess Kumari, where religious men dive into the waters and pray in the direction of the rising sun.
At Kovalam we find an impressive market selling spices, fish and souvenirs and we stop to have a closer look. Just off the coast there is a small island with the memorial of the philosopher Vivekananda and an effigy of the poet Tiruvalluvar; later on we visit the Gandhi Memorial, where the ashes of the founder of modern India are kept, and the Temple of goddess Kumari. Outside the village there is one of the most prestigious schools of India: the engineering college Holy Francis Xavier, founded in the year 1540. Kovalam just like Goa, is crowded with tourists, thanks to its wonderful beaches with palm trees. There are many hotels, restaurants, souvenir vendors and very nice shops to see. Tomorrow we will go back up North, driving along the Eastern coast up to Calcutta.

The remainder of the day-by-day journal available at [Linkleri Sadece uyelerimiz gorebilirler.Uye Olmak icin Tiklayiniz]

[drdevil]

2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Magic India Discovery Drive - 3 - Bangalore to Lucknow





































































First Day from Bangalore

The Indian Silicon Valley and Garden City. This city has nume*rous IT companies and the streets are lined with trees. We are participating in the opening ceremony of the new Shell petrol station; Shell is a sponsor of Ferrari. Later on we�re visiting the Hindu Big Bull Temple and the Botanic Garden with its Crystal Palace. At the end of the day a gala diner is held for us at the Taj and local entrepreneurs and some Ferrari owners partici*pate with enthusiasm. As of today the �Magic India Discovery� Tour has some new journalists on board: the Japanese Tomoyu*ki Shidana, the German Dieter Ammann, the US-American Kiino Ronald and the Belgian Piet Andries.

Second Day

We�re leaving Bangalore in the morning and get stuck in rush hour�s traffic, which is just the same as in every other Indian city. We�re taking the road in the direction of Hyderabad in the North. The road is being reconstructed to build two lanes. Thus very often we have to slow down. But even where the new road is ready, we can�t go too fast, because we�re slowed down by the artificial bumps. Just outside Bangalore we�re leaving the State of Kar*nataka and enter Andhra Pradesh, which is the sixth state the 612 Scagliettis are crossing. The landscape looks dry with many rocks and there is hardly any agriculture. There are not the usual houses built along the road and there is hardly any urbanization to see in this area. The road runs parallel to the railway and sometimes we have to cross it, too. This is a good opportunity to take some photos; although we obviously also take some photos next to the temples where we stop. Although the road surface is not too good, we reach a good average speed with the 612 Scaglietti. At Kurnool our hotel is right in the city centre and we get stuck in traffic, while people gather around the two cars from Ferrari.

Third Day

We�re leaving in the direction of Hyderabad and the landscape looks the same as yesterday: hilly, hardly any agriculture and not many houses. We�re stopping at the Alampur Temples, which have been saved from the waters of a nearby artificial lake, by moving them or building levees. Leaving Kurnool we�re crossing the Krishna, one of the rivers on the high plain, which runs into the Bengal Sea. The traffic here is quite intense compared to yesterday, as there are some companies located around the city of Hyderabad. Thus our average speed is dropping and it takes us longer than expected to reach Hyderabad. In the afternoon we take some photos of the 612 Scaglietti in front of some interesting sights, such as the Charminar Gate, the Laad Bazaar and the Mecca Masjid mosque, one of the biggest one in the country. Tomorrow we will spend in Hyderabad, participating in several events, held especially for the �Magic India Discovery� Tour.

Fourth Day

Today we are visiting the city. In the morning we visit the Golconda fortress, which has been built when the Hampi were defeated. The Golconda fortress has been abandoned in the 17th century, when the sovereigns moved to Hydebarad. Afterwards we�re seeing some other interesting sights of the city, before we participate in the function, especially organized for Ferrari at the Taj, sponsor of the �Magic India Discovery� Tour. As usual the cars generate enthusiasm amongst the guests, gathered around the two 612 Scaglietti, sitting on a stage.

Fifth Day

We�re leaving Hyderabad on the highway arriving at the Ramoji City Film grounds, where numerous films, for which India is famous, have been shot. On the grounds there are houses, a hotel and even a school, while the landscape around the complex is still quite dry and rocky. We�re leaving Ramoji and suddenly the road becomes extremely narrow. Although there�s really heavy traffic the 612 Scaglietti can keep up a good average speed. There are vast areas without any houses, which is a sign how difficult it is in this part of India to grow anything. As we get closer to the coast, the vegetation becomes greener and greener; big trees next to the road and more and more people around. Rice plantations and buffaloes can be seen now, too. In the villages we can see some Hindu temples, but also Christian churches. We still have around 50 kilometres to go to Vijawada, but now there�s the highway and it is a �normal� road again. For the first time on our Tour we see some rickshaws. Arriving at Vi*jaywada we cross the river Krishna. The hotel is right in the city centre and the arrival of the two cars from Ferrari paralyzes the traffic.

Sixth Day

A very fast highway takes us to our next destination. We�re driving along the coast, with vast rice plantations and enormous palm trees. This area is famous for its rice plantations. It is very hot and humid at at Rajamundhary, where we have lunch at the local Tata-Fiat dealer, while it starts to rain. We�re crossing the Goda*vari, the impressive river. We�re taking many photos, although the sky is quite grey. The journalists are satisfied that from time to time they can open the throttle of the 612 Scaglietti on this highway. We spot many sites, where irrigation canals are built. The road is modern and the construction zones are visible. The traffic seems much more organized here, although from time to time there�s the odd car driving in the wrong direction. Arriving at Vizag we spot the cones of some antique volcanoes, but also chimneys and factory buildings, sing of industrial activities in this area. Vizag is a very clean city and probably the most organized we�ve seen so far. It is extremely modern, which we can also tell because of the billboards with ads for wine. The hotel is at the beach and the arrival of the two cars from Ferrari ge*nerates the usual enthusiasm.

Seventh Day

This is a very modern city with a big harbour, a wonderful beach and nice buildings. We�re off to visit the most im*portant sights of the city and at 12:30h the whole Team meets at the hotel to watch the Malaysian GP. Everybody is really excited to see the two reed cars in the front row and in the end Raikkonens victory generates enthusiastic chants. In the afternoon the journalists, who have alre*ady driven the two 612 Scaglietti, are leaving us, while new members of the Team get used to the cars for our next stage, leading to Calcutta. Now there�s Ju Len from Singapore and the Japanese journalists Muratami Sei, Ichihara Naohide and Akira Suzuki.

The remainder of the day-by-day journal available at [Linkleri Sadece uyelerimiz gorebilirler.Uye Olmak icin Tiklayiniz]

[drdevil]

2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Magic India Discovery Drive - 4 - Lucknow to Mumbai





























































































First Day from Lucknow

We�re following highway number 24 in the direction of Delhi, along the river Ganges. The road conditions are normal, actually they are quite good, but we have to cross several villages and cities, which lowers our average speed. There is lots of agriculture, but, as also in other parts of India, not many machines on the fields. The tree-lined road provides nice shade. The problem here is that the big trees force the trucks to drive in the middle of the road, which makes overtaking quite difficult. Getting closer to Bareilly the traffic intensifies and the driving abilities of the journalists behind the wheels of the two 612 Scaglietti are tested out. At Bareilly, the hotel is right in the city centre and obviously we get stuck in traffic, due to the literally thousands of people stopping to admire the cars.

Second Day

Quite a normal road for us today, but with some traffic. Many fields, and again a tree-lined road, creating a green galleria. The road surface is good, although sometimes a little bit bumpy. We have to pass several villages and cities, where the heavy traffic slows us down. The sky is sunny and it�s not even too hot. It�s the dry period before the arrival of monsoons. At Moradabad we�re leaving the highway leading to Delhi and go in a northernly direction, the direction of the Himalayas. There is less and less traffic and we can travel much faster. The journalists can therefore open the throttles of the two 612 Scaglietti. We�re passing some industrial estates and in the afternoon we arrive at the Corbett National Park, where we have the possibility to watch some animals living here in this protected area, such as elephants and tigers. A long time ago the park was the hunting ground for the Maharajas and the British, before it became India�s first national park.

Third Day

Today we spend the whole day at the Corbett Park for a safari, where the journalists and photographers can do their work. We�re driving along the river, reaching the Ramganga lake. We spot deer, does, elephants, wild boars and numerous birds, but also crocodiles with the typical long nose and also tigers, which the park is famous for.

Fourth Day

Today the sky is grey and there�s even some rain. On our map it seems that we have to take a minor road, but in the end it turns out that it is actually quite nice to drive. There is lots of agriculture and we pass many eucalyptus woods. At Najibabad we stop for lunch. The weather is much better now and it�s even quite hot. Later on we arrive at Haridwar, �Gate of the Great River�, where the Ganges leads into the lowlands. There are numerous people washing themselves in the river and there are many staircases to the riverbank, just like in Varanasi. There are many levees to canalise and channel the water of the river, using it also for irrigation. Leaving Haridwar we drive along the river Ganges again. We arrive in Rishikesh, which is famous for its yoga and meditation seminaries. We spot many tourists going rafting on the Ganges. From here one can start excursions to the source of the river, passing wonderful woods, reaching a camp with tents, where the rafting tours usually start.

Fifth Day

Early in the morning we take part in a rafting tour on the river Ganges. The rapids provide great fun for all of us. Later on we leave in the direction of Chardigarh, an area with fields, woods, rivers, levees and channels. We�re driving through the woods where we spot monkeys, who seem to be amazed by us, and the cars. Driving the 612 Scaglietti here is a great joy for the journalists behind the wheels. We stop at the two Tata Fiat dealerships and are welcomed with the usual enthusiasm and the typical Indian hospitality. In Chardigarh we also meet some reporters. Chardigarh is an amazing place. It�s completely different from all the other places we�ve been so far in India. It�s orderly, clean, green, with wide streets, pedestrian zones and parking spaces. Planned by Le Corbusier and built in the late 50s this is the capital of the state Punjab and Haryana at the border to Pakistan. Thanks to agriculture, industry and tourism this part of India is much better off than many other areas here. Tomorrow new journalists will arrive as guests of the �Magic India Discovery�.

The remainder of the day-by-day journal available at [Linkleri Sadece uyelerimiz gorebilirler.Uye Olmak icin Tiklayiniz]